Spring 1873: I arrived in Japan a virgin bride, heartsick and anxious beyond measure. Yet I embraced this perplexing world after uncovering an erotic, intoxicating power I hardly knew that I, Katie O'Roarke, possessed.

Japan was a world away from my tedious Western existence, a welcome distraction from my marriage to a cold, cruel husband. But when James attacked me, I could tolerate it no longer...I had no choice but to escape into the hills. I awoke in the arms of a young Samurai, who took me to Shintaro, the head of the powerful Samurai clan.

At first distrustful, Shintaro came to me every day for a fortnight until my need for him made my heart race at the sound of his feet upon the floor. He taught me the way of the Samurai–loyalty, honor, self–respect–and the erotic possibilities of inner beauty unleashed.

But James means to find me, to make me pay for his humiliation. I can no longer hide as rebellions rage, and as my own secret continues to grow....